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Practice Of Real EstateFair HousingMEDIUM

Marcus, a licensed broker in Lewiston, Maine, is approached by a buyer who recently immigrated from Guatemala. Marcus steers the buyer exclusively toward listings in one specific neighborhood, telling him it would be 'more comfortable' for him there. Marcus does not show the buyer homes in other neighborhoods where the buyer expressed interest. Which federal Fair Housing Act protected class is most directly violated by Marcus's conduct?

Correct Answer

C) National origin

National origin is a federally protected class under the Fair Housing Act. Marcus's conduct constitutes illegal steering — directing a buyer toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on a protected characteristic. By channeling the buyer from Guatemala into a specific neighborhood based on his country of origin, Marcus is violating 42 U.S.C. § 3604(a). Steering based on national origin is one of the most commonly tested forms of discrimination.

Answer Options
A
Color
B
Disability
C
National origin
D
Sex

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

federal_fair_housingnational_originsteeringprotected_classes

Related Concepts

License requirements are the mandatory qualifications—including pre-licensing education, examination, and background checks—that a person must satisfy before legally practicing real estate. These requirements are established and enforced by each state's real estate commission.

Market allocation is an illegal antitrust practice in which competing real estate brokerages agree to divide markets among themselves by geographic area, property type, or price range, thereby eliminating competition.

Price fixing is an illegal antitrust practice in which competing real estate brokerages agree to charge the same commission rates, fees, or other pricing for their services. It is a per se violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

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